James H. Meyer, 73, of Brookings, died Tuesday, July 25, 2017, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.
Memorial services are at 1 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Brookings. Memorial visitation is from noon until the time of the services Friday at the church. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Jim was born on March 29, 1944, in Sioux Falls. It wasn’t long and he was adopted by Mae and Henry Meyer of Trail City. Jimmy went home to the M-Ranch with his mom and dad. He attended the country school and graduated from the Northwestern Lutheran Academy in Mobridge in 1959. Heading east, Jim enrolled in college at SDSC and graduated in 1962 from SDSU. He was always a proud Jackrabbit no matter where he was. He worked for two years for the John Deere Company at Moline, Ill., but a ranch accident involving his dad brought him home.
Marrying the love of his life, Barb Carley on Feb. 3, 1968, he brought her West River where they established their own ranch by Saddle Butte. There they raised their sons, Cody and Sean. He taught the boys all he knew of cattle and farming, whether it was pulling calves in early snow storms, raising wheat, or cutting and bailing endless fields of alfalfa. Jim just loved “digging in the dirt,” watching crops grow, and watching his sons grow too. Whenever neighbors needed help, he was there. Jim was a member of the Corson County FHA Board, the Farm Bureau, the McLaughlin School Board, various church boards and for over 10 years was a committed member of the Mobridge Hospital Board. In Brookings, Jim enjoyed being a Lions member.
Jim loved his church, being a member of the United Parish in Timber Lake, the Methodist Church in Mobridge, and for the past 5 years the First United Methodist Church in Brookings.
Wherever he was, Jim displayed his empathy for animals; and with a kind heart and healing hands and a big smile, he always found a friend in whomever he met; that stranger was just about to be a new friend.
Because of health issues, he and Barb looked to new opportunities; he became a census worker in Corson County, and later a field interviewer for the RTI Corp., giving him opportunity to travel and work from coast to coast.
Family was a top priority for Jim; when his boys were involved in activities, Jim was there encouraging and supporting. He loved his three grandchildren: Logan, Regan, and Austin. Spending time with them whatever the occasion and enjoying their “chaos” brought a big smile.
Jim is survived by his wife, Barb of Brookings; his two sons, Cody (Beth) Meyer of Plymouth, Minn.; and Sean (Teresa) Meyer of Prior Lake, Minn.; three grandchildren; a brother, Robert (Karen) Meyer of Glad Valley; a sister, Linda Kraft of Timber Lake and his nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a nephew, Doug Kraft, and an infant sister Ellen.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.
